What Is Rooting Hormone?
Rooting hormone products are chemicals that stimulate root growth, typically on plant cuttings.
These synthetic commercial products mimic auxin, which is a natural plant hormone that stimulates root growth.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Rooting hormone comes in powder, liquid, or gel form.
You don’t need to use rooting hormone for cuttings.
Most gardeners use rooting hormone primarily on ornamental plants and topropagate succulents.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Which Cuttings Can You Use?
But never give a new or established plant too much rooting hormone or it can damage the root system.
Rooting new plants from parents requires patience, and the cuttings are fragile before the root system develops.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
In general, keep the planting medium moist but not wet and provide light but no direct sun.
Tip
It’s not advisable to use rooting hormone with water propagation.
The parent must be vigorous andhealthy, and double-check the growing tip is between three to eight inches long.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Cut the topmost few inches from the stem.
Make the cut near a node, which is a slightly swollen knob on the stem.
Remove any leaves or flowers from the node area.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Moisten the bottom few inches of the cutting so the rooting hormone can adhere to it.
Do not dip the cutting directly into the original rooting hormone container.
Don’t apply the rooting hormone any higher than the final planting depth of the cutting.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Shake off the excess powder by lightly tapping the cutting against the edge of the container.
Plant the cutting in a soilless potting medium.
Make a hole in the potting medium with a pencil or similar tool.
Juj Winn/Getty Images
Tamp down the soil around the cutting to remove any air pockets.
Root systems develop best when the cutting is not placed in direct sunlight.
Push the leaf partway into the mix.
Keep all rooting plants out of the direct sun until they have developed a robust root system.
Working With Root Cuttings
you could put rooting hormone on root cuttings.
Yes, you could create your own rooting hormone.
Some options forhomemade rooting hormoneinclude using apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, aloe vera, and honey.
Rooting hormones improve uniformity among vegetative cuttings.
Michigan State University Extension.
Pesticides: Rooting Hormone.
